Surgeon report on illness in New Orleans, 1862

Enoch Adams, surgeon of the 14th Maine Volunteer Regiment, wrote a statement in early 1862 that was to be given to Acting Brig. Gen. George Shepley of the 3rd Brigade, stating that sleeping on the ground was the cause of illness among soldiers in the New Orleans area.

Adams, who was from Litchfield, enlisted as a surgeon on Nov. 25, 1861 in the 14th Maine Infantry Regiment. He served until May 9, 1864.

He wrote, "There is not a man sleeping on the ground that has not a cough."

Adams added, "I have urged bunks ever since our arrival and have been assured day by day that the lumber for them was coming to-morrow."